The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-22
ONE CHRISTMAS.
BI OLIVE HARPER.

''That there Marthy Avery is the foolish
est critter that ever lived, l swan to man!
Here's her father dead, and she left with
oil that brood Of her steplnothcr's young
ones; and instead Of sendin' 'em 10 their
grandfather she ups and says She is goin'
to support 'cm herself. She went get my
Jabcz if that : her idee, for I'll just put
my foot down.
"1Iartha is Il likely girl.''
'"Thcre's three gals and Il boy baby, and
they hain't no call nor claim on her.
There's ti4cTll as would make lcr y good,
f0rchanGpd prOyiIcr, but 10 l.an won't
take Il hull family on his hands to orCt.
It's bad enough marrying widders, but
nobody wants Il lot Of 8ickly young ones
G-cating up all the substance OF Il farm.
No, iniccd.'
''WaIl, YOU know, Mrs. Ucmphil, Mar
thy feel, as if the children hes as good q
right Us herself to the farm; they was her
f&thcr,S.'
',Ycs; but lie didn't make 10 will, ard
the farm and the scttin' out was all Mar
thy's own mothers, so nobody can't dis
putc her claim. Besides, what does slip
Of girl like that know bout carryin' on
Il farm, I'd like to know"'
Its too bad; but, as you say, she'll
find how hard it is to manage q farm. |
a3a greatly exercised for her, and I'll ask
the sisterhood to make her q subject Of an
address to the throne of grace" said Mrs.
I'ringle as she gave little sigh, and
folded up her kttsng to take her seat at
Mrs. Hcmphill's we'll filled tea table, for
she had ridden over to spend the after
noon and have good visit.
JahcZ, Mrs. Hemphills only son, and
his father came in and took their accus-
toned places, and the father asked a very
long blessing, and reached his hand out
and captured q biscuit at the same mo-
mcnt that he delivered his ''amen."
Jabez was handsome, frank young
fellow, who worked very hard and had 10
vices, but who possessed a fair share Of
manly virtues.
He found time, cOmehoW, after the mul-
tifarious duties on farm were done, to
study. and TO slip over to the Avery farm
scry often.
Being q steady and handsome young
fellow, his mother naturally looked on
him with pride, and now she felt that she
was doing her duty as Il wise mother i'll
misunderstanding such 4 foolish action on
Martha's part rs adopting her three little
half sisters and baby brother.
Meanwhile, Martha was working, 3, #
her life depended upon it, over Il rcfrac-
tory Churnlng, ana Ecf pretty lace was
Wrinkled into frOWn and her checks
famed crimson, and littlc sparks Of anger
seemed to shoot from her eycs that had
yet Il suspicion Of tears not far off.
She ic1l.cl the daShcr with NindiCtiTc
little movements, rs ii she wished size had
some particular person under the dashcr,
and y,ittl&I il did sUeIn as if that butter
was beWitcAcd.
Il don't wonder it won't come" said
Martha, ut last. 'IiGtcful old thing. AS
il depended upon hcr, CT as il I wanted
her 'Jabcz.' l guess | can manage a
farm; at any rate, I must try, for with
Gods hip will take care of these poor
little ch. idrcn. Adlic can help take care
Of the othcrs-2nu think She is cruol--
Ohr'
This exclamation was brought forth by
the sudden sight Of J&bez, a5 lie sprung
over the fence and walked into the well
kept kitchen without q word of warning
Or invitation.
He walked directly up to Martha and
ciasped both Of his hands around hers Us
she held the ''dasher,'' and said chcerily:
''Wcll, Martic, how are YOU? Here, you
sit down and let nc do this, and can
look at you all the while, and that Will
pay me for my work. p"